Membrane filter apparatus for liquid mixtures

ABSTRACT

A membrane filter apparatus for splitting a feed into filtrate and retentate is provided. The apparatus comprises a body chamber, a feed inlet disposed on the body chamber, a retentate outlet located in the body chamber, a feed distribution tube connected to the feed inlet, and a filter assembly having a filter. The feed distribution tube has a length sufficient to cause the feed to enter the body chamber at a feed distance from the filter assembly of no greater than 50% of a total length of the body chamber. The feed flows across the filter in a direction parallel to a surface of the filter assembly. The filtrate passes through the filter assembly and the retentate flows through the body chamber in a direction antiparallel to the feed flow through the feed distribution tube and out through the retentate outlet.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to a filtration apparatus which uses amembrane filter configured for use with a liquid mixture and a method offiltering the liquid mixture.

Discussion of the Background

The “background” description provided herein is for the purpose ofgenerally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of thepresently named inventors, to the extent it is described in thisbackground section, as well as aspects of the description which may nototherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neitherexpressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the presentinvention.

Membrane filters are generally used to separate impurities from fluidsin applications such as water purification, beverage processing,wastewater treatment, and other applications which require separation ofunwanted particles or impurities from the fluid. This is usually done byinterposing a medium such as a semi-permeable or permeable membrane. Themembrane typically comprises pores of desired size and thereby acts as afilter element to remove the impurities or unwanted particles from thefluid. In the known setup of a typical membrane system, a pump forcesthe contaminated fluid towards the membrane. Some amount of fluidpermeates the membrane as a product fluid with almost zero contaminationwhereas the remaining fluid leaves as a fluid with impurities.

In general, there are two common membrane filtration systems orfiltration geometries: dead-end filtration and a cross-flow filtration.In the dead-end filtration system, the fluid to be filtered is fedperpendicular to the filter element and all fluid passes through thefilter element with retained solids forming a cake layer of impuritieson the surface of the filter element. On the other hand, the cross-flowfiltration system, also known as a tangential flow filtration, is a typeof filtration in which the majority of the feed flow travelstangentially across the surface of the filter element. Dialysis may bethought of as a sub-type of cross-flow filtration or as a separatefiltration geometry. In dialysis, the feed is provided as distinctaliquots and is not provided as a flow, though the filtrate may flow.These different filtration geometries provide distinct advantages anddisadvantages and therefore are typically used in various, but differentapplications.

Both types of filtration system usually contain a feed chamber where theexternal feed fluid enters and proceeds towards a membrane forfiltration. However, it is observed that the fluid flow through themembrane of the existing filtration devices has an uneven feed fluidvelocity and pressure in the feed chamber. This uneven feed fluidvelocity and pressure causes the fluid to pass through only at somespecific points of the membrane or causes different flow patternsthrough the membrane. Different flow pattern in the membrane can resultin an inaccurate prediction of the product fluxes and thus poorfiltration performance. The uneven feed fluid velocity and pressure maybe controlled or eliminated by using an external hydraulic pumps orpneumatic clamping device within the feed chamber in some knownfiltration system, however they are relatively expensive. Also, existingfiltration systems are quite big in size and the components of thesystems are not easily assembled and disengaged or may require lot ofphysical efforts. Moreover, existing systems are designed to operate ina single filtration geometry. The various filtration geometries such ascross-flow filtration, dead-end filtration, and dialysis processes mustbe performed on separate dedicated devices.

Hence, there remains a need for an efficient filtration system which canovercome the aforementioned shortcomings or problems of the existingfiltration system. Also, there is need for a membrane filter devicewhich is compact in size, easy to handle and portable, components can beassembled and disengaged easily without involving much physical effortsor specialized equipment and a filtration system capable of performingfiltration in the cross filtration, dead-end filtration, hybrid, andeven a dialysis arrangements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to a membrane filter apparatus. Themembrane filter apparatus comprises a body chamber comprising an inletend and a filter end. A feed inlet is disposed on the inlet end of thebody chamber. A feed distribution tube is fluidly connected to the feedinlet and comprises a distribution inlet end and a distribution outletend. The feed distribution tube further comprises one or more feedoutlet openings through which a feed may pass into the body chamber. Aretentate outlet is fluidly connected to the body chamber and located atthe inlet end of the body chamber. The membrane filter apparatus furthercomprises a filter assembly comprising a filter located at the filterend of the body chamber and oriented substantially perpendicular to thefeed distribution tube. The filter assembly further comprises a filtersupport in contact with a portion of the filter. A filter cap interfaceswith the filter end of the body chamber and secures the filter assemblyto the filter end of the body chamber. The feed distribution tube passesthrough a center of the body chamber in a direction substantiallyparallel to a length of the body chamber has a feed distribution tubelength sufficient to cause the feed to enter the body chamber at a feedstart point such that a feed distance measured from the filter assemblyto the feed start point that is less than an entrance distance measuredfrom the feed start point to the feed inlet. The membrane filterapparatus is configured such that a feed may flow into the feed inlet,through the feed distribution tube, and out through the one or more feedoutlet openings such that the feed flows across the filter in adirection substantially parallel to a surface of the filter assembly. Inwhich the filter is configured to split the feed into a filtrate and aretentate. The filtrate passes through the filter assembly and theretentate flows through the body chamber in a direction substantiallyantiparallel to the feed liquid flowing through the feed distributiontube and out through the retentate outlet.

In some embodiments, the body chamber is substantially cylindrical inshape.

In some embodiments, the feed liquid flows through the one or more feedoutlet openings such that a feed liquid flow distribution across thefilter assembly is substantially evenly distributed across the surfaceof the filter assembly.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus comprises a filtratechamber attached to the filter cap at a location opposite the bodychamber.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus comprises a filtrateoutlet fluidly connected to the filtrate chamber.

In some embodiments, the filter end of the body chamber and the filtercap comprise threading which is configured to interlock to interface andsecure the filter cap to the body chamber.

In some embodiments, the body chamber and the filter cap comprise a gripflange attached to or disposed upon an exterior surface of the filtercap or the filter chamber.

In some embodiments, the grip flange has a substantially hexagonalshape.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus comprises a filterassembly gasket located between the body chamber and the filterassembly.

In some embodiments, the filter support comprises a non-flexible supportplate located between the filter and the filter cap.

In some embodiments, the non-flexible support plate is macroporous.

In some embodiments, the filter assembly comprises a filter supportgasket located between the filter and the non-flexible support plate.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus comprises a body capattached to or disposed upon the inlet end of the body chamber.

In some embodiments, the body cap and the inlet end of the body chambercomprise threading which is configured to interlock to interface andsecure the body cap to the body chamber.

In some embodiments, the filter comprises a polymer membrane.

In some embodiments, the polymer membrane is mesoporous or microporous.

In some embodiments, the polymer membrane comprises at least one polymerselected from the group consisting of celluloses, polysulfones,polynitriles, polyamides, polyimides, polyolefins, fluoropolymers, andchloropolymers.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of filtering a liquidmixture. The method comprises providing to the feed inlet of themembrane filter apparatus the liquid mixture, recovering from theretentate outlet a retentate, and collecting from the filter cap afiltrate.

In some embodiments, the liquid mixture is an aqueous mixture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A better understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure(including alternatives and/or variations thereof) may be obtained withreference to the detailed description of the embodiments along with thefollowing drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a membrane filter apparatus, accordingto an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the membrane filter apparatus of FIG. 1 ,according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a feed inlet, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a body cap, according to an embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a feed distribution tube, according toan embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a body chamber, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure and shown side-on;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a body chamber, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure and shown top-down;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a filter chamber, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a reducer chamber, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a cover member, according to anembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 11 is a schematic sectional view of the membrane filter apparatusof FIG. 1 showing a flow of feed, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure; and

FIG. 12 is a flow diagram of a method of filtering a liquid mixtureusing the membrane filter apparatus, according to an embodiment of thepresent disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following description, it is understood that other embodimentsmay be utilized, and structural and operational changes may be madewithout departure from the scope of the present embodiments disclosedherein.

As used herein the words “a” and “an” and the like carry the meaning of“one or more.”

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” means that thesubsequently described event(s) can or cannot occur or the subsequentlydescribed component(s) may or may not be present (e.g., 0 wt. %).

As used herein, the term “liquid mixture” refers to a mixture comprisingat least one liquid, the mixture retaining the ability to flow. Theproperties or characteristics of the liquid mixture or the flow thereofmay be altered from the liquid or liquids of which it is comprised.Examples of such properties or characteristics are density, vaporpressure, hydrostatic pressure, surface tension, and viscosity.

According to a first aspect, the present disclosure relates to amembrane filter apparatus for splitting a feed into a filtrate and aretentate. The membrane filter apparatus comprises a body chamber, afeed inlet disposed on the body chamber, a feed distribution tubefluidly connected to the feed inlet, a retentate outlet fluidlyconnected to the body chamber, and a filter assembly having a filter anda filter support in contact with the filter. The feed distribution tubehas a length sufficient to cause the feed to enter the body chamber at afeed distance from the filter assembly of no greater than 50% of a totallength of the body chamber. In some embodiments, the feed distributiontube has a length sufficient to cause the feed to enter the body chamberat a feed distance from the filter assembly of no greater than 52.5%,preferably 55%, preferably 57.5%, preferably 60%, preferably 62.5%,preferably 65%, preferably 67.5%, preferably 70%, preferably 72.5%,preferably 75%, preferably 77.5%, preferably 80% of a total length ofthe body chamber. The feed exits the feed distribution tube through oneor more feed outlet openings of the feed distribution tube. The feedthen flows across the filter in a direction substantially parallel to asurface of the filter assembly. The filter assembly is configured tofilter the flow such that a filtrate passes through the filter assemblyand a retentate does not pass through the filter assembly and insteadflows through the body chamber in a direction substantially antiparallelto the feed flowing through the feed distribution tube and out throughthe retentate outlet.

Referring to FIG. 1 , a perspective view of a membrane filter apparatus100 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The membrane filter apparatus 100 is configured to filter aliquid mixture. In some embodiments, the liquid mixture is acontaminated liquid and the membrane filter apparatus 100 may be used topurify the contaminated liquid during a filtration process. In someembodiments, the liquid mixture comprises a first component and at leastone secondary component. In some embodiments, the first component is aliquid. In general, the secondary components may be liquids, dissolvedmaterials, and/or undissolved materials. Examples of dissolved materialsand undissolved materials include salts, proteins, ions, charged oruncharged molecules, polymers, minerals, and microbes. The secondarycomponents may also be referred to impurities, contaminants,particulates, and unwanted components. In some embodiments, the liquidmixture is an aqueous mixture.

The membrane filter apparatus 100 comprises a body chamber 102. Imagesof an exemplary body chamber 102 according to an embodiment of thecurrent invention is provided in FIGS. 6 and 7 . In some embodiments,the body chamber 102 is substantially cylindrical in shape. In suchembodiments, the body chamber 102 may be a hollow cylindrical bodyhaving a wall 104 defining an exterior surface 106 and an interiorsurface 108 (shown in FIG. 2 ). The body chamber 102 comprises an inletend 110 and a filter end 112. The inlet end 110 may be otherwisereferred to as the upper end of the body chamber 102 and the filter end112 may be otherwise referred to as the lower end of the body chamber102. The membrane filter apparatus 100 further comprises a feed inlet114 for inflow of the liquid mixture into the body chamber 102. An imageof an exemplary feed inlet 114 according to an embodiment of the currentinvention is provided in FIG. 3 . The feed inlet 114 is disposed at theinlet end 110 of the body chamber 102. In some embodiments, the feedinlet 114 is in the form of a conduit disposed at the inlet end 110 ofthe body chamber 102 to allow flow of the liquid mixture into the bodychamber 102. In some embodiments, the feed inlet 114 further comprises afeed inlet valve (not shown) for restricting, allowing, or controllingflow of the liquid mixture into the body chamber 102.

The membrane filter apparatus 100 further comprises a retentate outlet116 fluidly connected to the body chamber 102 for outflow of a retentateduring the filtration process. The retentate outlet 116 is located atthe inlet end 110 of the body chamber 102. In some embodiments, theretentate outlet 116 is located at the inlet end 110 of the body chamber102 at a location proximal to the filter end 112 of the body chamber102. In some embodiments, the retentate outlet 116 is in the form of aconduit located at the inlet end 110 of the body chamber 102 to exit theretentate from the body chamber 102. In some embodiments, one end of theretentate outlet 116 is fluidly connected to the wall 104 of the bodychamber 102. In some embodiments, a second end of the retentate outlet116 is coupled to a retentate container. This retentate container may beused for receiving the retentate from the membrane filter apparatus 100.In some embodiments, the retentate outlet 116 further comprises aretentate outlet valve (not shown) for restricting, allowing, orcontrolling flow of the retentate therethrough during the filtrationprocess.

The membrane filter apparatus 100 further comprises a filter cap 118configured to interface with the filter end 112 of the body chamber 102.In some embodiments, the filter cap 118 is substantially cylindrical inshape. In such embodiments, the filter cap 118 is a hollow cylindricalbody having a filter cap wall 120 defining an exterior surface 122 andan interior surface 124 (shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 11 ). The filter cap118 is coaxially connected to the body chamber 102 along a longitudinalaxis ‘A’ of the membrane filter apparatus 100 and configured to secure afilter assembly 130 (shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 11 ) of the membranefilter apparatus 100 to the filter end 112 of the body chamber 102.

In some embodiments, the body chamber 102 comprises one or more bodychamber grip flanges 132A attached to or disposed the exterior surface106 of the body chamber 102. In some embodiments, the filter cap 118comprises one or more filter cap grip flanges 132B attached to ordisposed on the exterior surface 122 of the filter cap. In someembodiments, a first grip flange 132A is attached to or disposed uponthe exterior surface 106 of the body chamber 102 and a second gripflange 132B is attached to or disposed upon the exterior surface 122 ofthe filter cap 118. The first grip flange 132A and the second gripflange 132B are hereinafter individually referred to as the grip flange132 and collectively referred to as the grip flanges 132 unlessotherwise specifically mentioned. In some embodiments, the grip flange132 has a substantially hexagonal shape. In some embodiments, the gripflange 132 may be a square shape, a polygon shape or any other shapeknown to one of ordinary skill in the art. The grip flanges 132 may helpa user to firmly hold the body chamber 102 and the filter cap 118 duringassembly or disassembly of the membrane filter apparatus 100.

In some embodiments, the grip flange 132 is configured in such a way toengage with or be engaged by fastening tools such as a wrench, aspanner, or any other fastening tools known to one of ordinary skill inthe art. In some embodiments, the body chamber 102 includes the firstgrip flange 132A in the form of a hexagonal shape and the filter cap 118includes a holding portion, in place of the second grip flange 132B, toprevent the filter cap 118 from rotation during assembly or disassemblyof the membrane filter apparatus 100. In such embodiments, the filtercap 118 may be held stationary using the holding portion and the bodychamber 102 may be moved relative to the filter cap 118 during assemblyor disassembly of the membrane filter apparatus 100. Similarly, in someembodiments, the filter cap 118 includes the second grip flange 132B inthe form of a hexagonal shape and the body chamber 102 includes aholding portion, in place of the first grip flange 132A, to prevent thebody chamber 102 from rotation during assembly or disassembly of themembrane filter apparatus 100. In such embodiments, the body chamber 102may be held stationary using the holding portion and the filter cap 118may be moved relative to the body chamber 102 during assembly ordisassembly of the membrane filter apparatus 100. In some embodiments,the holding portion is a protrusion extending from the exterior surfaces106 or 122 of the body chamber 102 or the filter cap 118, respectively.In such embodiments, the protrusion is configured to engage with or beengaged by a fastening tool. In some embodiments, the holding portion isa notch defined on the exterior surfaces 106 or 122 of the body chamber102 or the filter cap 118, respectively, configured to engage with or beengaged by the fastening tools.

The membrane filter apparatus 100 further comprises a body cap 134attached to or disposed upon the inlet end 110 of the body chamber 102.An image of an exemplary body cap 134 according to an embodiment of thecurrent invention is provided in FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, the bodycap 134 is substantially cylindrical in shape. In such embodiments, thebody cap 134 may be a hollow cylindrical body comprising a side wall 136and a top wall 138 closing a top end of the body cap 134. A bottom endof the of the body cap 134 is coaxially engaged with the inlet end 110of the body chamber 102. As such, the body chamber 102 and the body cap134 together define an interior volume 140 (shown in FIG. 11 ) toreceive the liquid mixture, otherwise known as the feed, therein duringthe filtration process. The top wall 138 of the body cap 134 isconfigured to fluidly communicate the feed inlet 114 with the interiorvolume 140 of the membrane filter apparatus 100. In some embodiments,the body cap 134 is attached to the inlet end 110 of the body chamber102 in such a way that the membrane filter apparatus may operate atambient air pressure during the filtration process. In other words, apressure-tight mechanical seal may not be achieved while connecting thebody cap 134 with the inlet end 110 of the body chamber 102 such thatthe liquid mixture may be entered the body chamber 102 at the ambientair pressure. In some embodiments, the body cap 134 is attached to theinlet end 110 of the body chamber 102 in such a way that the membranefilter apparatus may operate at a desired pressure during the filtrationprocess. In other words, a pressure-tight mechanical seal may beachieved while connecting the body cap 134 with the inlet end 110 of thebody chamber 102. This seal may allow that the liquid mixture beprovided to the body chamber 102 at a desired pressure greater than orless than ambient air pressure or the that the pressure within theinterior volume 140 of the membrane filter apparatus 100 be maintainedat an interior pressure greater or less than ambient air pressure.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus 100 further comprisesa filtrate chamber 142 attached to the filter cap 118. In someembodiments, the filtrate chamber 142 is attached to, disposed upon, orintegrated with the filter cap 118 at a location opposite the bodychamber 102. The filtrate chamber 142 is configured to receive afiltrate passed through the filter assembly 130 during the filtrationprocess. In some embodiments, the filtrate chamber 142 is substantiallycylindrical in shape. In preferred embodiments, the filtrate chamber 142has substantially the same shape or cross-sectional shape as the filtercap 118. In some embodiments, the filtrate chamber 142 is a hollowcylindrical body comprising a side wall 144 and a bottom wall 146closing a bottom end of the filtrate chamber 142. A top end of the ofthe filtrate chamber 142 may be coaxially engaged with the filter cap118. In some embodiments, the side wall 144 of the filtrate chamber 142is configured to fluidly communicate with a filtrate outlet 148 of themembrane filter apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the filtrate outlet148 may be located at a location proximal to the top end of the filtratechamber 142. In some embodiments, the filtrate outlet 148 is located ata location proximal to the bottom end of the filtrate chamber 142. Insome embodiments, the filtrate outlet 148 is located at the bottom wall146 of the filtrate chamber 142. In some embodiments, the bottom wall146 includes an additional port (not shown) apart from the filtrateoutlet 148 provided in the side wall 144. In such embodiments, thefiltrate outlet 148 and the additional port may be selectively opened orclosed during a filtration process such as a dialysis process. In someembodiments, the filtrate outlet 148 is in the form of a conduitconfigured to exit the filtrate from the filtrate chamber 142 during thefiltration process. In some embodiments, the filtrate outlet 148additionally comprises a filtrate outlet valve (not shown) forrestricting, allowing, or controlling flow of the filtrate therethroughduring the filtration process.

Referring to FIG. 2 , an exploded view of the membrane filter apparatus100 is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The membrane filter apparatus 100 comprises the feed inlet114 having a first end 202 configured to attach with the top wall 138 ofthe body cap 134 and a second end 204 configured to fluidly couple witha liquid mixture source (not shown). The liquid mixture source may be acontainer used for storing the liquid mixture to be filtered. In someembodiments, the second end 204 of the feed inlet 114 may be coupled tothe liquid mixture source using a hose, a pipe, a tube, or any otherconduit known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments,the feed inlet 114 is made of flexible material. In alternativeembodiments, the feed inlet 114 is made of a non-flexible material. Insome embodiments, the top wall 138 of the body cap 134 includes athrough-hole 206 configured to receive and engage with the first end 202of the feed inlet 114. In some embodiments, the side wall 136 includes athrough-hole to receive and engage with the first end 202 of the feedinlet 114. In some embodiments, these through-holes do not engage withthe feed inlet.

In some embodiments, the body cap 134 comprises a body cap threading 208(shown in FIG. 11 ) configured to engage with body chamber threading 209located on, attached to, or integrated with the body chamber 102. Insome embodiments, the body cap threading is located on, attached to, orintegrated with an inner surface 207 (shown in FIG. 11 ) of the sidewall 136 of the body cap 134. In some embodiments, such body capthreading is configured to threadably engage with the body chamberthreading 209. In such embodiments, the body chamber threading 209 isprovided on the exterior surface 106 at the inlet end 110 of the bodychamber 102. In some embodiments, during assembly of the membrane filterapparatus 100, the body cap threading 208 of the body cap 134 and thebody chamber threading 209 of the body chamber 102 are configured tointerlock to interface and secure the body cap 134 to the body chamber102. In some embodiments, an outer surface of the side wall 136 of thebody cap 134 may include a threading and a corresponding feed inletthreading may be provided on the interior surface 108 at the inlet end110 of the body chamber 102. In some embodiments, the body cap 134 issecured to the body chamber 102 using an adhesive. In some embodiments,the body cap 134 is coupled to the body chamber 102 using a clampingmechanism, a press-fit mechanism, or any other coupling mechanisms knownto one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, a body capgasket is located between the body cap 132 and the body chamber 102 orotherwise disposed in the coupling therebetween. In such embodiments,the body cap gasket is pressure-tight.

The membrane filter apparatus 100 further comprises a feed distributiontube 210 fluidly connected to the feed inlet 114. The feed distributiontube 210 is configured such that the liquid mixture enters through thefeed inlet 114 and proceeds towards the feed distribution tube 210before passing to the filter assembly 130. An image of an exemplary feeddistribution tube 210 according to an embodiment of the currentinvention is provided in FIG. 5 . In some embodiments, the feeddistribution tube 210 is a hollow cylindrical tube. In such embodiments,the distribution tube has a distribution tube wall 212 made ofnon-flexible material. In some embodiments, the feed distribution tube210 comprises a distribution inlet end 214 and a distribution outlet end216. The distribution inlet end 214 may be otherwise referred to as thetop end of the feed distribution tube 210 configured to fluidly connectto the first end 202 of the feed inlet 114. In some embodiments, thedistribution inlet end 214 of the feed distribution tube 210 and thefirst end 202 of the feed inlet 114 comprise threading for reversiblyand fluidly connecting each other. In some embodiments, the first end202 of the feed inlet 114 and the distribution inlet end 214 of the feeddistribution tube 210 may be connected using a snap-fit mechanism, apress-fit mechanism, an adhesive, or any other fluid tight connectionmechanism known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The distributionoutlet end 216 may be otherwise referred to as the bottom end of thefeed distribution tube 210. The distribution outlet end 216 comprisesone or more feed outlet openings 218 (shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 11 )through which the feed may pass into the interior volume 140 of themembrane filter apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the feed outletopenings 218 are defined in the distribution tube wall 212 across a feeddistribution length L′ (shown in FIG. 11 ). The feed distribution lengthL′ spans the distance from a feed start point, to a feed outlet openingclosest to the filter assembly. The phrase ‘feed start point’ may beunderstood to refer to the distance along the feed tube at which thefeed encounters a first feed outlet opening and thus may flow out of thedistribution tube. Equivalently, the feed start point is the distancefrom the filter assembly to a farthest feed outlet opening. The feedoutlet openings 218 may be present starting at the feed start point asdefined above. The feed outlet opening closest to the filter assemblymay be known as a “last feed outlet opening” and the feed outlet openingpresent at the feed start point may be known as a “first feed outletopening”. In some embodiments, the feed outlet openings 218 may be inthe shape of a circle. In some embodiments, the feed outlet openings 218may be in the shape of a slot. In some embodiments, the feed outletopenings 218 may have various shapes including, but not limited to,oval, polygon or any other shape known to one of ordinary skill in theart. In some embodiments, the feed outlet openings 218 are not presenton the distribution tube wall 212. In some embodiments, the feed outletopenings are present on a bottom surface of the feed distribution tube.

When the feed passes through the feed distribution tube 210, the feedexits the feed distribution tube through the feed outlet openings 210and flows into the body chamber 102 and the filter assembly 130. In someembodiments, the feed outlet openings 218 are defined symmetrically onthe feed distribution tube 210 such that the feed exits evenly throughthe feed outlet openings 218 of the feed distribution tube 210. In someembodiments, an opening provided at the distribution outlet end 216 maybe closed or sealed so that axial flow of the feed towards the filterassembly 130 or directing flow of the feed towards a central and a smallarea of the filter assembly 130 may be restricted and allowed onlyradial flow of the feed through the feed outlet openings 218.

In the assembled configuration of the membrane filter apparatus 100, asalso seen in FIG. 11 , the feed distribution tube 210 passes through acenter of the body chamber 102 in a direction substantially parallel toa length of the body chamber 102. In other words, the feed distributiontube 210 is disposed parallel to the longitudinal axis ‘A’ of themembrane filter apparatus 100. The feed distribution tube length ‘L’ ofthe feed distribution tube 210 is sufficient to cause the feed to enterthe body chamber 102 at a feed start point such that a feed distancemeasured from the filter assembly to the feed start point is less thanan entrance distance measured from the feed start point to the feedinlet. In other words, the feed distribution tube has a lengthsufficient to place the feed start point closer to the filter assemblythan the feed inlet, i.e., the feed distance from the filter assembly130 to the feed start point is no greater than 50% of a total length ofthe body chamber 102. The phrase ‘total length of the body chamber 102’may be defined based on the interior volume 140 of the membrane filterapparatus 100 and equivalent to a height of the interior volume 140defined by the body chamber 102 and the body cap 134 above the filterassembly 130. The phrase ‘feed distance’ may be defined as a gapmeasured along the longitudinal axis ‘A’ between a surface 222 of thefilter assembly 130 and the distribution outlet end 216 of the feeddistribution tube 210. As such, the feed distribution tube 210 allowsthe feed to flow across the filter assembly 130 in a directionsubstantially parallel to the surface 222 of the filter assembly 130,and thereby obtain an even flow of the feed across the surface 222 ofthe filter assembly 130. The phrase ‘minimum feed distance’ may bedefined as a gap measured along the longitudinal axis ‘A’ between asurface 222 of the filter assembly 130 and the nearest distributionoutlet opening 218 of the feed distribution tube 210. The phrase‘maximum feed distance’ may be defined as a gap measured along thelongitudinal axis ‘A’ between a surface 222 of the filter assembly 130and the farthest distribution outlet opening 218 (present at the feedstart point) of the feed distribution tube 210.

The membrane filter apparatus 100 further comprises the filter assembly130 located at the filter end 112 of the body chamber 102. Particularly,the filter assembly 130 is located immediately below the filter end 112of the body chamber 102 and disposed between the body chamber and thefilter cap 118 in the assembled configuration of the membrane filterapparatus 100. The filter assembly is configured such that no componentpresent in the feed may pass from the body chamber into the filter capwithout passing through the filter assembly. The filter assembly 130includes a filter 230 located at the filter end 112 of the body chamber102. The filter 230 is placed at the filter end 112 of the body chamber102 in such a way that it is oriented substantially perpendicular to thefeed distribution tube 210. In other words, the direction of flow of thefeed through the feed distribution tube 210 and a plane defined by thesurface 222 of the filter 230, otherwise known as the surface 222 of thefilter assembly 130, are substantially perpendicular to each other. Ingeneral, the filter may be any suitable membrane filter known to one ofordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the filter 230 comprisestwo or more membranes. In some embodiments, the filter 230 comprises aninorganic or mineral membrane. Such an inorganic or mineral membrane maybe referred to as a thin-film. In some embodiments, the filter 230comprises a polymer membrane. In some embodiments, the polymer membraneis mesoporous or microporous. In some embodiments, pore size of thepolymer membrane may be defined based on various factors including, butnot limited to, type of the liquid mixture and type of the filtrationprocess. In some embodiments, the polymer membrane comprises at leastone polymer selected from the group consisting of celluloses,polysulfones, polynitriles, polyamides, polyimides, polyolefins,fluoropolymers, and chloropolymers. Examples of membranes which may beused may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,753,014A, 4,737,286A, 3,408,315A,5,035,802A, US20190202747A1, and Warsinger, et. al. [Warsinger, D. M.,et. al., A review of polymeric membranes and processes for potable waterreuse, Progress in Polymer Science, 2018, 81, 209-237].

The filter assembly 130 further comprises a filter support 232 locatedbelow the filter 230 and in contact with a portion of the filter 230. Insome embodiments, the filter support 232 contacts an entirety of thefilter 230. In alternative embodiments, the filter support 232 contactsa portion of the filter 230. The filter support 232 is configured toprovide additional mechanical or structural support to the filter 230.Such mechanical or structural support may be advantageous as pressure ofthe feed flow may otherwise displace position of the filter 230, deflectthe filter 230, or damage the filter 230 during the filtration process.In some embodiments, the filter support 232 comprises a non-flexiblesupport plate. In some embodiments, the non-flexible support plate islocated between the filter 230 and the filter cap 118. In someembodiments, the non-flexible support plate is macroporous. In otherwords, pore size of the filter support 232 is larger than the pore sizeof the filter 230 such that the filtrate enters the filtrate chamber 142without significant obstruction after passing through the filter 230.Between the filter 230 and the filter cap 118, the macroporousnon-flexible support plate may be placed in order to provide support tothe filter 230 during the filtration process while allowing the filtratepass through the filter 230 to the filtrate chamber 142.

In some embodiments, the filter assembly 130 comprises a filter supportgasket 234 located between the filter 230 and the filter support 232.The filter support gasket 234 may additionally seal a connection betweenthe filter 230 and the filter support 232 to prevent leakage of theliquid mixture from the body chamber 102 to the filtrate chamber 142during the filtration process. In general, the filter support gasket maybe any suitable gasket known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Thefilter support gasket may be any suitable shape and constructed of anysuitable material known to one of ordinary skill in the art. In someembodiments, the filter support gasket 234 may be in the form of anannular ring. In such embodiments, the annular right is aligned with aperipheral edge of the filter support 232 and a peripheral edge of thefilter 230. In some embodiments, the filter support gasket 234 is madeof a flexible material. In alternative embodiments, the filter supportgasket 234 is made of a non-flexible material.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus 100 comprises afilter assembly gasket 238 located between the body chamber 102 and thefilter assembly 130. The filter assembly gasket 238 may act as a sealantbetween the filter assembly 130 and the body chamber 102 to preventleakage of the liquid mixture from the body chamber 102 to the filtratechamber 142 during the filtration process. The filter assembly gasketmay be any suitable shape and constructed of any suitable material knownto one of ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, the filterassembly gasket 238 may be in the form of an annular ring. In someembodiments, the annular ring is aligned with a peripheral edge of thefilter end 112 of the body chamber 102 and a peripheral edge of thefilter 230. In some embodiments, the filter assembly gasket 238 is madeof flexible material. In alternative embodiments, the filter assemblygasket 238 is made of a non-flexible material.

The membrane filter apparatus 100 comprises the filter cap 118 which isconfigured to engage with the body chamber 102 and support the filterassembly 130. An image of an exemplary filter cap 118 according to anembodiment of the current invention is provided in FIG. 8 . In someembodiments, the interior surface 124 at a top end of the filter cap 118comprises a threading 242. The filter cap 118 further comprises ashoulder portion 244 at a bottom end thereof. The shoulder portion 244extend radially inward from the interior surface 124 of the filter cap118. The shoulder portion 244 has a resting surface 246 defined parallelto the surface 222 of the filter assembly 130. The threading 242 of thefilter cap 118 is configured to interface with a threading 248 definedon the exterior surface 106 of the body chamber 102 at the filter end112 thereof. The threading 242 of the filter cap 118 and the threading248 of the body chamber 102 are configured to interlock to interface andsecure the filter cap 118 to the body chamber 102. As such, the filtercap 118 is threadably engaged with the body chamber 102 in the assembledconfiguration of the membrane filter apparatus 100. Further, the filterassembly 130 is placed between the filter end 112 of the body chamber102 and the filter cap 118. The filter cap 118 therefore secures thefilter assembly 130 to the filter end 112 of the body chamber 102.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus 100 further comprisesa filtrate chamber 142 attached to the filter cap 118. In someembodiments, the filtrate chamber 142 is attached to the filter cap 118at the location opposite the body chamber 102. In other words, the bodychamber 102 is coupled to the top and of the filter cap 118 and extendsin an upward direction with respect to the filter cap 118, whereas, thefiltrate chamber 142 is coupled to the bottom end of the filter cap 118and extends in a downward direction with respect to the filter cap 118,opposite to the upward direction of the body chamber 102. In someembodiments, the filtrate chamber 142 comprises a reducer chamber 250.An image of an exemplary reducer chamber 250 according to an embodimentof the current invention is provided in FIG. 9 . In some embodiments,the filtrate chamber 142 comprises a cover member 260. An image of anexemplary cover member 260 according to an embodiment of the currentinvention is provided in FIG. 10 . The reducer chamber 250 and/or thecover member 260 may be configured to couple with the filter cap 118 andreceive the filtrate therein. In some embodiments, the filtrate chamber142 may be defined only by the reducer chamber 250. In such embodiments,a top end of the reducer chamber 250 comprises a flange portion 251extending radially from an exterior surface 252 of a side wall thereof.The side wall of the reducer chamber 250 may be defined as the side wall144 of the filtrate chamber 142, as seen in FIG. 1 . In someembodiments, the flange portion 251 comprises an engaging surface 254defined parallel to the resting surface 246 of the shoulder portion 244of the filter cap 118. In such embodiments, during assembly of themembrane filter apparatus 100, the reducer chamber 250 is inserted fromtop of the filter cap 118 and the resting surface 246 of the filter cap118 and the engaging surface 254 of the reducer chamber 250 areconfigured to abut each other. As such, the reducer chamber 250 issupported and held with the filter cap 118. In some embodiments, theside wall of the reducer chamber 250 comprises a through-hole 256configured to fluidly communicate with one end of the filtrate outlet148. In some embodiments, an end of the filtrate outlet 148 may becoupled to a container used for receiving the filtrate from the membranefilter apparatus 100. In some embodiments, the reducer chamber 250 mayinclude a bottom wall, which is otherwise defined as the bottom wall 146of the filtrate chamber 142, as seen in FIG. 1 . In such embodiments,the bottom wall of the reducer chamber 250 may include the additionalport. The filtrate outlet 148 and the additional port may be selectivelyopened or closed during the filtration process such as the dialysisprocess.

In some embodiments, the cover member 260 along with the reducer chamber250 define the filter cap 118 and receive the filtrate therein. In suchembodiments, the cover member 260 is configured to enclose the reducerchamber 250. In some embodiments, the cover member 260 may be a hollowcylindrical body having a side wall 262 and a bottom wall 264. The sidewall 262 and the bottom wall 264 are together configured to enclose thereducer chamber 250. In such embodiments, the side wall 262 and thebottom wall 264 may be defined as the side wall 144 and the bottom wall146, respectively, of the filtrate chamber 142 as seen in FIG. 1 . Insome embodiments, the reducer chamber 250 is devoid of the bottom wall.In such embodiments, the additional port may be defined in the bottomwall 264 of the cover member 260. The cover member 260 may include anopening 266 defined at the side wall 262 to receive the filtrate conduit148 therethrough. In some embodiments, the cover member 260 isthreadably engaged with the filter cap 118 or the reducer chamber 250.In some embodiments, the cover member 260 may be detachably coupled tothe filter cap 118 or the reducer chamber 250 using a snap-fitmechanism, a press-fit mechanism, or any other coupling mechanisms knownto one ordinary skill in the art. In some embodiments, while assemblingthe membrane filter apparatus 100, the cover member 260 encloses thereducer chamber 250 in such a way that the opening 266 defined in theside wall 262 of the cover member 260 is aligned with the through hole256 defined in the side wall of the reducer chamber 250. As such, thefiltrate conduit 148 may be received through the opening 266 of thecover member 260 and fluidly connect with the through hole 256 of thereducer chamber 250. In some embodiments, the cover member 260 includesa grip flange. This grip flange may be attached to or disposed upon anexterior surface of the side wall 262 of the cover member 260. The gripflange may help to hold the cover member 260 during assembly ordisassembly of the membrane filter apparatus 100.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic sectional view of the membrane filterapparatus 100, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Thefiltration process of the membrane filter apparatus 100 is explainedwith reference to the FIG. 1 through FIG. 11 . It should be understoodthat the filtration process depicted and described below represent oneexemplary embodiment used to illustrate the flow pattern and performanceof the membrane filter apparatus 100. The liquid mixture, otherwisereferred to as the feed, stored in the liquid mixture source flowsthrough the feed inlet 114 and then through the feed distribution tube210. The feed distribution tube 210 comprises the feed outlet openings218 (depicted in the wall 212 thereof). Accordingly, the feed comes outthrough the feed outlet openings 218 and particularly flow in adirection radially outward from the feed distribution tube 210 to enterthe interior volume 140 of the membrane filter apparatus 100. Due to thesymmetric orientation of the feed outlet openings 218, a feed liquidflow distribution across the filter assembly 130 is substantially andevenly distributed across the surface 222 of the filter assembly 130.The symmetric orientation of the feed outlet openings 218 helps toevenly distribute the feed liquid flow in the body chamber 102. The feedin the body chamber 102 then flows across the filter 230 in a directionsubstantially parallel to the surface 222 of the filter assembly 130.This direction is substantially perpendicular to the length of the feeddistribution tube 210. The filter 230 splits the feed into the filtrateand the retentate. In an example, the feed may contain bigger particlesand smaller particles. While the feed flows through the filter 230, thebigger particles may be filtered and retained behind the filter 230whereas the smaller particles can easily pass through the filter 230based on the pore size of the filter 230. The bigger particles may bedefined as particles having size greater than pore size of the filter230. As such, the particles having size greater than the pore size ofthe filter 230 may be restricted from permeating the filter 230.Further, the liquid mixture having the bigger particles is restrictedfrom flowing through the filter 230 and retained behind the filter 230.Such liquid mixture having the bigger particles is defined as theretentate or concentrate liquid. The smaller particles may be defined asparticles having size smaller than the pore size of the filter 230. Assuch, the particles having size smaller than the pore size of the filter230 may be allowed to pass therethrough to the filtrate chamber 142.Further, the liquid mixture having the smaller particles permeates thefilter 230 and stored in the filtrate chamber 142. Such liquid mixturehaving the smaller particles is defined as the filtrate. Accordingly,the liquid mixture containing the smaller particles permeates the filterassembly 130 whereas the liquid mixture containing the bigger particles(retentate) flows through the body chamber 102 in a direction (depictedas upward in FIG. 11 ) substantially antiparallel to the feed liquidflow through the feed distribution tube 210 (depicted as downward inFIG. 11 ). The phrase ‘direction substantially antiparallel’ may bedefined as the direction of flow of the feed within the body chamber 102is opposite to the direction of feed flow through the feed distributiontube 210 while planes of directions of the feed flow within the bodychamber 102 and feed distribution tube remain parallel. The retentatefurther flows out through the retentate outlet 116 whereas the filtrateis received through the filtrate outlet 148.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus 100 may be used for adead-end filtration process. During the dead-end filtration process, theretentate outlet 116 and the filtrate outlet 148 may be sealed or closedusing the valves. The feed inlet 114 of the membrane filter apparatus100 is provided with a liquid mixture. The liquid mixture passes throughthe feed distribution tube 210 and comes out through the feed outletopenings 218 thereof. Due to the symmetric orientation of the feedoutlet openings 218, the liquid mixture flow is substantially and evenlydistributed across the surface 222 of the filter assembly 130. Theliquid mixture in the body chamber 102 flows across the filter 230 inthe direction substantially parallel to the surface 222 of the filterassembly 130. The filter 230 splits the feed into the filtrate and theretentate. The filtrate containing the smaller particles permeate thefilter assembly 130 whereas the retentate containing the biggerparticles may flow through the body chamber 102 in the directionsubstantially antiparallel to the liquid mixture flow through the feeddistribution tube 210. As the retentate outlet 116 is sealed, theretentate remains in the body chamber 102 and gets deposited on top ofthe filter assembly 130. Over a period of use, particles rejected by thefilter 230 may accumulate at top of the filter assembly 130. Hence thefilter assembly 130 or the filter 230 is replaced or cleaned regularly,which would otherwise cause clogging of filter pores. The filtrate maybe taken out through the additional port provided in the filtratechamber 142 of the membrane filter apparatus 100.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus 100 may be used for across-flow filtration process. During the cross-flow filtration process,the filtrate outlet 148 may be sealed while the retentate outlet 116 iskept open. The feed inlet 114 of the membrane filter apparatus 100 isprovided with a liquid mixture. The liquid mixture passes through thefeed distribution tube 210 and comes out through the feed outletopenings 218. Due to the symmetric orientation of the feed outletopenings 218, the liquid mixture flow is substantially and evenlydistributed across the surface 222 of the filter assembly 130. Theliquid mixture in the body chamber 102 flows across the filter 230 inthe direction substantially parallel to the surface 222 of the filterassembly 130. The filter 230 splits the feed into the filtrate and theretentate. The filtrate containing the smaller particles permeates thefilter assembly 130 whereas the retentate containing the biggerparticles flows through the body chamber 102 in the directionsubstantially antiparallel to the liquid mixture flow through the feeddistribution tube 210. The retentate is received through the retentateoutlet 116 whereas the filtrate is taken out through the additional portprovided in the filtrate chamber 142 of the membrane filter apparatus100.

In some embodiments, the membrane filter apparatus 100 may be used in adialysis process. The dialysis process may be hemodialysis process whichremoves extra fluid such as urine and other unwanted substances fromblood. During the dialysis process, the filtrate outlet 148, theretentate outlet 116 and the additional port provided in the filtratechamber 142 are kept open. The feed inlet 114 of the membrane filterapparatus 100 is provided with a liquid mixture for dialysis process. Insome embodiments, the liquid mixture may be blood. The liquid mixturepasses through the feed distribution tube 210 and comes out through thefeed outlet openings 218. Due to the symmetric orientation of the feedoutlet openings 218, the liquid mixture flow is substantially and evenlydistributed across the surface 222 of the filter assembly 130. Anotherfluid, such as a dialysate solution, may be injected through the port ofthe filtrate chamber 142. The liquid mixture is higher in concentrationcompared to the dialysate solution. The liquid mixture in the bodychamber 102 flows across the filter 230 in the direction substantiallyparallel to the surface 222 of the filter assembly 130. The substance,or particles, having smaller size may permeate the filter 230 and enterthe filtration chamber 142 and mixed with the dialysate solution due todiffusion principle. According to diffusion principle, substances inhigher concentration area tend to move to the lower concentration area.Further, a negative pressure may be induced in the filtrate chamber 142to create a pressure difference in the filtrate chamber 142 and the bodychamber 102. Accordingly, the smaller particles from the liquid mixturepermeates the filter 230 into the dialysate solution. The liquid mixturethat lost the smaller particles, or the retentate, flows through thebody chamber 102 in the direction substantially antiparallel to theliquid mixture flow through the feed distribution tube 210 and comes outthrough the retentate outlet 116. The dialysate solution having thesmaller particles received within the filtrate chamber 142 leaves thefiltrate chamber 142 through the filtrate outlet 148.

The present disclosure also relates to a method of filtering a liquidmixture. Referring to FIG. 12 , a method 300 of filtering the liquidmixture is illustrated, according to an embodiment of the presentdisclosure. The method 300 of filtering the liquid mixture using themembrane filter apparatus 100 is explained with reference to FIG. 1through FIG. 12 . At step 302, the method 300 comprises providing theliquid mixture to the feed inlet 114 of the membrane filter apparatus100. In some embodiments, the liquid mixture is an aqueous mixture. Thefirst end 202 of the feed inlet 114 is coupled to the body cap 134 ofthe membrane filter apparatus 100 and the second end 204 is fluidlycoupled with the liquid mixture source containing the liquid mixture. Insome embodiments, a pump may be used to supply the liquid mixture to themembrane filter apparatus 100 through the feed inlet 114. At step 304,the method 300 comprises recovering the retentate from the retentateoutlet 116. The liquid mixture, otherwise referred to as the feed,entered the feed inlet 114 flows through the feed distribution tube 210and comes out through the feed outlet openings 218. The feed flows inthe radial direction to enter the interior volume 140 of the membranefilter apparatus 100. As such, the feed flow distribution across thefilter assembly 130 is substantially and evenly distributed across thesurface 222 of the filter assembly 130. Further, the feed in the bodychamber 102 flows across the filter 230 in the direction substantiallyparallel to the surface 222 of the filter assembly 130. While the feedflows through the filter 230, the bigger particles of the liquid mixturemay be rejected and retained behind the filter 230 whereas the smallerparticles of the liquid mixture permeate the filter 230. Accordingly,the liquid mixture containing the bigger particles flows through thebody chamber 102 in the direction substantially antiparallel to the feedflow through the feed distribution tube 210. The retentate further flowsout through the retentate outlet 116. The retentate may be receivedthrough the retentate outlet 116 and further collected in the containercoupled with the retentate outlet 116. At step 306, the method 300comprises collecting the filtrate from the filtrate chamber 142. Theliquid mixture containing the smaller particles permeate the filterassembly 130 and collected in the filtrate chamber 142. The filtratecollected in the filtrate chamber 142 flows out through the filtrateoutlet 148 and further collected in the container fluidly coupled withthe filtrate outlet 148.

The examples below are intended to further illustrate protocols for andare not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

Where a numerical limit or range is stated herein, the endpoints areincluded. Also, all values and subranges within a numerical limit orrange are specifically included as if explicitly written out.

Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the presentinvention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is thereforeto be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, theinvention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically describedherein.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A membrane filter apparatus comprising: abody chamber comprising an inlet end and a filter end; a feed inletdisposed on the inlet end of the body chamber; a feed distribution tubefluidly connected to the feed inlet comprising a distribution inlet endand a distribution outlet end and comprising one or more feed outletopenings through which a feed liquid may pass into the body chamber; aretentate outlet fluidly connected to the body chamber and located atthe inlet end of the body chamber; a filter assembly comprising: afilter located at the filter end of the body chamber and orientedsubstantially perpendicular to the feed distribution tube, and a filtersupport in contact with a portion of the filter; a filter cap whichinterfaces with the filter end of the body chamber and secures thefilter assembly to the filter end of the body chamber, wherein: the feeddistribution tube passes through a center of the body chamber in adirection substantially parallel to a length of the body chamber has afeed distribution tube length sufficient to cause the feed liquid toenter the body chamber at a feed start point such that a feed distancemeasured from the filter assembly to the feed start point that is lessthan an entrance distance measured from the feed start point to the feedinlet; and the membrane filter apparatus is configured such that feedliquid may flow into the feed inlet, through the feed distribution tube,and out through the one or more feed outlet openings such that the feedliquid flows across the filter in a direction substantially parallel toa surface of the filter assembly where the filter is configured to splitthe feed liquid into a filtrate and a retentate, the filtrate passingthrough the filter assembly and the retentate flowing through the bodychamber in a direction substantially antiparallel to the feed liquidthrough the feed distribution tube and out through the retentate outlet.2. The membrane filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the body chamber issubstantially cylindrical in shape.
 3. The membrane filter apparatus ofclaim 2, wherein the feed liquid flows through the one or more feedoutlet openings such that a feed liquid flow distribution across thefilter assembly is substantially evenly distributed across the surfaceof the filter assembly.
 4. The membrane filter apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a filtrate chamber attached to the filter cap at alocation opposite the body chamber.
 5. The membrane filter apparatus ofclaim 4, further comprising a filtrate outlet fluidly connected to thefiltrate chamber.
 6. The membrane filter apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe filter end of the body chamber and the filter cap further comprisethreading, the threading configured to interlock to interface and securethe filter cap to the body chamber.
 7. The membrane filter apparatus ofclaim 6, wherein the body chamber and the filter cap further comprise agrip flange attached to or disposed upon an exterior surface of thefilter cap or body chamber.
 8. The membrane filter apparatus of claim 7,wherein the grip flange has a substantially hexagonal shape.
 9. Themembrane filter apparatus of claim 1, wherein the filter supportcomprises a non-flexible support plate located between the filter andthe filter cap.
 10. The membrane filter apparatus of claim 9, whereinthe non-flexible support plate is macroporous.
 11. The membrane filterapparatus of claim 9, wherein the filter assembly further comprises afilter support gasket located between the filter and the non-flexiblesupport plate.
 12. The membrane filter apparatus of claim 1, furthercomprising a body cap attached to or disposed upon the inlet end of thebody chamber.
 13. The membrane filter apparatus of claim 12, wherein thebody cap and the inlet end of the body chamber comprise threading, thethreading configured to interlock to interface and secure the body capto the body chamber.
 14. The membrane filter apparatus of claim 1,wherein the filter comprises a polymer membrane.
 15. The membrane filterapparatus of claim 14, wherein the polymer membrane is mesoporous ormicroporous.
 16. The membrane filter apparatus of claim 14, wherein thepolymer membrane comprises at least one polymer selected from the groupconsisting of celluloses, polysulfones, polynitriles, polyamides,polyimides, polyolefins, fluoropolymers, and chloropolymers.
 17. Amethod of filtering a liquid mixture, the method comprising: providingto the feed inlet of the membrane filter apparatus of claim 1 the liquidmixture; recovering from the retentate outlet a retentate; andcollecting from the filtrate assembly a filtrate.
 18. The method ofclaim 17, wherein the liquid mixture is an aqueous mixture.